26/11 chargesheet by Jan 24; LeT men in Pak likely to be named

MUMBAI: Mumbai Police is expected to file a chargesheet into the 26/11 terror strike before January 24 and the two key Lashkar-e-Taiba Mohammad(LeT) handlers in Pakistan are likely to be named.

The lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Amir Iman Kasab, whose Pakistani identity has been acknowledged by Islamabad, will face charges ranging from murder, attempt to murder and theft to waging war against the country, officials said.

The Maharashtra Government has already decided to set up a special court to conduct the trial.

The chargesheet will cover mainly Kasab's conversation with his handlers in Pakistan, his interrogation report besides eyewitnesses who saw him spraying bullets on the night of November 26 last.

The chargesheet is also likely to name Yosuf Muzzamil and Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, the main Lashkar operatives, who had allegedly handled the terrorists durign the siege.

Their names, if it figures, will be against column two of the chargesheet (those who could not be brought for trial) which will enable the police to seek a non-bailable warrant against them and subsequently an Interpol Red Corner Notice.

India has been exerting diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to handover the suspects including Muzzamil and Lakhvi to New Delhi for questioning in the case.

"The chargesheet will be filed by January 24 within the 60-day stipulated period," special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam told PTI without revealing further details.

Nikam, who has been helping the Mumbai's elite Crime Branch in tying the loose ends of the chargesheet, also said the trial would take place at high-security area.